Media Monday Edmonton: Week in Review #3

Biggest news of the week as far as I am concerned is the announcement that the edmontonian will be debuting a 30-minute show on Shaw TV this April. “We wanted new ways to tell Edmonton’s stories. We wanted new ways for you to contribute,” wrote editors Jeff and Sally in their announcement. It’ll be really interesting to see how this marriage of traditional and new media plays out. They’re looking for contributors too, so get in touch if you’re interested (PDF).

Here’s an interesting marketing approach. MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Communication Studies has an online contest with some fun questions centered around getting “the real information out.” You could win an iPad. The contest closes March 31. The domain for the contest – www.whatseriously.com – seems as though it might be used again in the future. Follow @MacEwan_BCS on Twitter for updates.

As a follow-up to last week’s notes: Vue Weekly has removed the “100% Independent” banner on its website. Also, they have an “Exclusive Online Content” section on the website – anyone know how long that has been there?

Edmonton’s foodie blog queen Sharon Yeo made Western Living magazine’s Top 40 Foodies Under 40 for 2011 (PDF) for her popular blog onlyhereforthefood.ca in the Media/Activists category. Congrats Sharon!

Also, let’s hope the purchase of CTV does not go like all the other major media purchases of the last decade. That is: big buy, 6 or so months of business as usual, layoffs to balance the new books and “streamline” within the new corporate structure, less local and regional programming.

There are some stipulations from the CRTC that BCE will have to invest in new programming and news (specifically in Western Canada and with the A Channels) so let’s hope we see a new slate of original, local programs in the fall.

Thanks for the mention Mack. Vue Weekly has been running online exclusive content for the last couple of years (or more?). Starting with video and photo content early on, and then moving into news, music, film and arts coverage that we placed exclusively online when the timing was wrong for the paper, the content was more web-friendly (lots of links and embedded content) or the paper was simply not able to fit the story that week. BTW, I am really enjoying your “Media Mondays” I hope you keep it up.

Congratulations to Sharon for her mention in the 40 Foodies Under 40. Let’s not forget about the other amazing Edmonton food peeps that also made the list: Daniel Costa of Corso 32, Nate Box of Elm Cafe, and Giselle Corteau & Garner Beggs of the Duchess Bake Shop.